ASEAN needs to shape a healthy living style and better healthcare system in order to emerge a healthier, stronger ASEAN community, said Union Minister for Health Dr Thet Khaing Win at the 16th ASEAN Health Ministers’ Meeting (AHMM) held at the National Convention Centre in Vientiane of Laos on 8-10 August.
Speaking at the meeting on coordination to set assess tasks of ASEAN health sector and prioritize the post-2025 health sector on 8 August, the Union minister discussed monitoring new infectious diseases and potential for resurgence of contagious diseases and cooperation in preventive and control measures, Universal Health Coverage, upgrade of the health system with resilience of natural disasters, enhancement of qualification of healthcare services based on digital technology, further cooperation in patient safety and food security, and promotion of cooperation in health, financial and natural environmental conservation to improve a more robust health system.
The Union minister also attended the coordination meeting on further cooperation in healthcare services between ASEAN and WHO. At the meeting, the Union minister revealed that the outbreak of COVID-19 is of great importance for the cooperation of ASEAN member states and regional collaboration in emergency health conditions.
The Union minister recounted that the 2022-23 report of WHO recorded the success of Myanmar in vaccination and immunization, adding Myanmar decided to further cooperate with the ASEAN in the health sector.
He disclosed that vaccination for COVID-19 and regular vaccination are being undertaken in Myanmar through the utmost efforts of the Ministry of Health and public participation with the support of the government, resulting in a number of unvaccinated children three times from 2021 to 2022.
The meetings were also attended by health ministers, deputy ministers, high-ranking officials, the SEA regional director of WHO, the West Pacific Regional director, the deputy secretary general of the ASEAN Secretariat and officials. — MNA/TTA
